Effect ofCymbopogon martinii, Foeniculum vulgare, andTrachyspermum ammiEssential Oils on the Growth and Mycotoxins Production byAspergillusSpecies

摘要

This study was performed to investigate effect of essential oils onAspergillusspore germination, growth, and mycotoxin production.In vitroantifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities ofCymbopogon martinii, Foeniculum vulgare,andTrachyspermum ammiessential oils were carried out on toxigenic strains ofAspergillusspecies. Plant materials were hydrodistilled for 4-5 h in Clevenger apparatus. 0.25 μL/mL, 0.5 μL/mL, 1 μL/mL, 2 μL/mL, and 4 μL/mL concentrations of each essential oil were prepared in 0.1% Tween 80 (V/V).T. ammioil showed highest antifungal activity. Absolute mycelial inhibition was recorded at 1 μL/mL by essential oils ofT. ammi. The oil also showed complete inhibition of spore germination at a concentration of 2 μL/mL. In addition,T. ammioil showed significant antiaflatoxigenic potency by totally inhibiting toxin production fromA. nigerandA. flavusat 0.5 and 0.75 μL/mL, respectively.C. martinii, F. vulgare,andT. ammioils as antifungals were found superior over synthetic preservative. Moreover, a concentration of 5336.297 μL/kg body weight was recorded for LC50 on mice indicating the low mammalian toxicity. In conclusion, the essential oils fromT. ammican be a potential source of safe natural food preservative for food commodities contamination byAspergillusspecies.